Ceiling fan mounting assembly

ABSTRACT

A ceiling fan mounting assembly includes a readily installed specially shaped hanger bracket which provides direct high load and torque resistant support for the ceiling fan assembly, as well as providing support for the electrical junction box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a fan ceiling support assembly, andparticularly to a new type of readily installed high load and hightorque resistant assembly.

Mounting of ceiling fans is of particular importance inasmuch as theyare sizable devices and the falling of such devices from the ceiling canresult in substantial injury to persons struck by them. The supportarrangements of the past have been found to be inadequate, and fallingfan assemblies have incurred. Rotary ceiling fans have beenconventionally installed by supporting the fan assembly on the outletjunction box. The underwriters code has taken notice of this particularsituation and has proposed several changes in support arrangements forthese ceiling fan units to provide fail safe installation.

For example, in most installations, where the fan assembly has beendirectly supported by the outlet junction box, the box does not havespecial provision for supporting such units, and further is of suchlight construction that it is not possible to provide the high loadcapability and torque resistant support required for adequate and safefan assembly installation. Usually, a simply screw fastening for a fanassembly supported by a metal electrical outlet box has been used. Themetal tabs on the box, containing only two threads have been relied uponto provide a support for the fan assembly. With pro-longer use of thefan, either vibration or torque load, wear down the threads, or thescrew fastener backs out of the threaded tab, and the ceiling fanassembly comes loose.

Fan assemblies have also been supported on a J-hook, which ordinarilywould appear to be sufficiently strong to support a fan assembly.However, it has been experienced that after a long period of time therotational torque, particularly with respect to reversable fans, worksthe J-hook loose with the resultant falling of the fan assembly.

Plastic or fiberglass boxes have also been used, out due to their lackof strength, failure and consequent falling of the fan assembly hasoccurred.

In view of these shortcomings of the previous support arrangements, theinstant hanger bracket and fan support assembly has been designed toovercome such difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, this invention contemplates the provision of a high load,high torque resistant support assembly for ceiling fans in which theabove-noted shortcomings are overcome.

The hanger bracket assembly of the instant invention provides for a firmsupport of the fan assembly with provision for completely eliminatingfailure due to high torque. The independent support of the fan assemblyand the electrical box which is provided, is not dependent upon severalthin threads, or the thin or light material of the box.

The assembly provided uses a simple hanger bracket which is readilyinstalled and provides a firm immovable support which cannot be workedloose over a period of time, which is possible with fans supported by aJ-hook.

In this particular proposed hanger assembly for ceiling fans, a new andsafe support is provided and a simple unitary bracket provides for thefirm engagement with the joist structure, as well as for providing aquickly installed element for supporting both the high load for the fanand the electrical box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the ceiling fan assembly inposition on the ceiling and the ceiling cut away to show the joist andsupport structure.

FIG. 2a is a top view of the hanger bracket of the subject invention.

FIG. 2b is a side elevational view of the hanger bracket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ceiling fan mounting assembly showinga plastic electrical outlet box and part of the ceiling fan supportelement.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of another hanger bracket assemblyshowing a two-piece outlet box and a part of the ceiling fan supportstructure.

FIG. 5a is a side view of the hanger bracket illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5b is a top view of the hanger bracket of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 is a side section view showing the hanger bracket of FIGS. 5a and5b in direct fastening engagement with a ceiling joist, and supporting afiberglass junction box.

FIG. 7 is a side section view of the hanger bracket of FIG. 5 shownfastened to a ceiling joist and supporting a metal electrical outletbox.

FIG. 8a discloses a hanger bracket element particularly configured toengage the hexagonal support bar.

FIG. 8b is a top view of the support bar engaging element of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a side section view showing a hanger bracket modification forsupporting the junction box from the inside thereof.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the modified hanger bracket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring in particular to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, theoverall assembly of the ceiling fan and its support is shown in thisperspective view. The ceiling fan generally indicated at 10 has ahousing 12 enclosing the fan and is supported by the support shaft 14through which the electrical wires for the motor, not shown, are passed.The support assembly of the fan 16 is mounted immediately below theceiling 18 and passes through an opening therein and is mountedimmediately below the electrical outlet box 20. A part of the hangerbracket assembly is shown at 22. The hanger bracket assembly supportsboth the fan support housing 16 and the electrical junction box 20independently. It, in turn engages the adjustable flat sided hexagonalbar 24 to provide a rigid and immovable support for the fan assembly.

The adjustable support bar 24 threadedly receives the threaded bar 25,so as to permit expansion of the end support pieces 26 into direct tightpressure engagement with the adjacent joists 28 and 29 which areimmediately adjacent the opening through the ceiling 18.

In FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b and FIG. 3, the hanger bracket generallyindicated at 30 and the support element generally indicated at 40, areshown in position engaging the hexagonal section support bar 24.

The hanger bracket construction 30 is shown in FIG. 2a and 2b as acentral upwardly extending fastener receiving recess section 32. It hassupport holes 33 for receiving fastener elements as shown in FIG. 3. Theheight of the recess is sufficient to receive the ends 41 of theU-shaped support bar clamp 40 and the fasteners 42, as shown in FIG. 3.

Outer downwardly extending fastener receiving pockets 34, which have anupwardly extending side flange 35, are disposed adjacent downwardlyextending wall 37 to receive the fasteners for the outlet box and thefan assembly. The small tapped hole 36 receives the fastener for theelectrical outlet box. The holes 38 receive the downwardly extendingthreaded support rods 50 which support the fan housing element as shownin FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the U-shaped clamp 40 firmly engages the bar 24 andholds the hanger bracket 30 firmly in position against the lower flatside of bar 24 when the nuts 42 are tightened. This provides a firmrigid support for the hanger bracket. The diameter of the U-shaped rodclamp threaded ends is accomodated through the holes 33 which areapproximately 1/4 of an inch so as to support a sufficiently sturdyU-shaped sized member having a diameter of approximately 1/4 of an inch.

The hanger bracket 30 is approximately 41/4 inches in length and is madefrom 1/16 inch metal stock. Clamp receiving holes 33 are spacedapproximately 1/2 inches apart on center. The hanger bracket isapproximately 5/8 of an inch in width. Outside end members 35 areapproximately 1/2 inch in length. The rod receiving holes 38 aresufficiently wide to accomodate a 1/4 inch bolt which is the threadeddown rod support element 50 for the ceiling fan assembly.

The tapped screw holes 36 are substantially smaller, and accomodate along small diameter machine 48 for holding the plastic box 44 inposition as shown in FIG. 3. Note that the head 49 of the rod 48 holdsthe box 44 such that its top surface 45 at its edges engages the bottomof the outer recess section 34 of the hanger bracket 30 in firmengagement, and that the central recess 32 provides ample clearance fromthe outlet box top surface 45 for the free ends 41 of clamp 40 and thenuts 42.

The junction box 44 has an outer channel 47 in which the metal screws 48and the depending threaded down rod ceiling fan assembly support bolt 50extend, exteriorly of the interior of the box 44.

The bolts 50 acting as the support elements for the ceiling fan assemblyare held in position on the bracket 30 by the lock nuts 41 and provide aspaced pair of support elements which will reduce torque and twist whilethe head of the bolts provides a firm load capability.

The bolts 50 extend downwardly through the plate 54 which is held inposition firmly against the lower periphery 46 of the junction box 44when the lock nuts 55 are tightened. The hollow support shaft 56 isequivalent, or the same as, the shaft 14 of FIG. 1. With thisarrangement the support bracket 30 is securely held to the traversejoist engaging bar 24 and also provides a separate support for the fanassembly independent of the electrical box. In addition, the simplefastening arrangement shown can be used for both the outlet box and theceiling fan assembly itself such that the ceiling fan is rigidlysupported against the lower periphery of the box, which in turn is insolid flat engagement with the bottom surface of the bracket 30.

FIG. 4 shows another type of hanger bracket arrangement using adifferent hanger arrangement and showing a two piece electrical outletbox 80.

The U-shaped clamp 60 is of the same configuration as that of FIG. 3,having threaded free ends 61 which extend through openings in aparticularly configured engaging plate 62 for engaging several flatsurfaces of the hexagonal support bar 24. The U-shaped clamp 60 isfastened on the bar and held in position by the nuts 64. The hangerbracket 70 is then mounted over the free ends 61 and held in position bythe two lock nuts 66.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show the detailed construction of the hanger bracket 70which has upwardly extending flanges 71, downwardly extending fastenerrecess pockets 72, and upwardly extending fastener recesses 76. Thetapped fastener receiving openings 73, the down rod ceiling fan supportopenings 74, and the fastener support holes 77 all correspond to thoseof hanger bracket 30. A lower central depending section 78 has a tappedhole 79 which can be used for accomodating a single fastener support foran outlet box.

With respect to the outlet box of FIG. 4, it should be noted that it hasan upper section 80 with an upper top wall 81 which engages the lowersurface of the hanger bracket 70. It is distinctive in that adjacent itslower surface there are two slots 83 and 84 to accomodate electricalcable. It is possible with this type of box construction to merely pressthe cable into the elongated slot, rather than pulling the cable endsthrough a hole as in conventional boxes. This provides for more readilyinstalled electrical wiring for the fan itself. The lower section 86 ofthe outlet box is similar and of matched construction with respect tothe end section and has an upper surface 87 along its periphery whichcloses the open ends of the slots 83 and 84 to hold the wires inposition. It has an outwardly extending boss 89 through which fasteners90 extend upwardly and through the tapped openings 73 of hanger bracket70 to hold the composite box construction in position.

Downwardly extending bolts 92 pass through openings 74 and are bolted infixed position by nuts 93 so as to provide firm threaded downwardlyextending ceiling fan assembly support rods. The ceiling fan supportplate 96 is held in position against the lower periphery of the lowersurface 88 of lower section 86 of the two piece box assembly. Wires passdown through the opening 97 in plate 96 to the ceiling fan itself. Lucknuts 94 hold plate 96 firmly in position to provide a high load and hightorque resistant support due to the two widely spaced support elements92 which resist torque and eliminate the problem of unscrewing offastenings due to rotational twist of the entire assembly, previouslyencountered with former central support elements such as the J-hook.

FIG. 6 discloses an arrangement in which the hanger bracket 70 isdirectly secured to the ceiling joist 98, rather than to a cross barsuch as the bar 24 previously shown. Wood screws 99 hold the hangerbracket 70 in position. Note, that as well as the central outstandingsections 76, the exterior flanges 71 also engage the lower surface ofthe joist to provide a firm unyielding support against which thejunction box 100 can rest. The junction box shown is plastic or offiberglass construction, and has an upper surface 101 which firmly restsagainst the hanger bracket. The outer periphery 102 encloses a centralwell section defined by an internal wall 106 to provide twodiametrically opposed open shafts exteriorly of the internal portion ofthe box through which the box retaining fasteners 90 can extend as wellas the ceiling fan retaining bolts 92. The lower end of the passages areclosed at 105. The fastener 90 is fitted into the recess 108 such thatthe head of the metal screw 90 is provided with a shoulder against whichit rests.

FIG. 7 shows the hanger bracket 70, as might be used as bolted to across piece, or 2×4 member 110 to which the bracket 70 is held inposition by the bolts 112. They extend through the 2×4 and are inengagement with the upper sections 76 of the bracket 70 to hold thebracket in position by the heads 113 when the lock nuts 115 aretightened. This figure shows the fastening arrangement for theconventional type of metal outlet electrical box 120. The bracket 70'corresponds to bracket 70, except that it is much to provide a widerspan for the depending support elements 116. They are held in positionby the nuts 117 and extend downwardly along side the outer periphery 122of the outlet box 120. The upper surface of the outlet box 124 is heldin position up against the lower portion of the hanger bracket 70' bythreaded metal screws 130 which extend through openings 125 in the uppersurface of the metal outlet box. The opening 127 provides the access tothe interior of the box for electrical cable. The lower periphery of thebox 126 in line with inwardly extending metal tabs 128 which have athreaded tab opening 129. These tabs 128 have a threaded tapped opening129. These tabs 128 have been used in the past to support hangerassemblies and have failed under load and torque conditions, since onlytwo threads are possible in the tapped opening 129. These threads arenot sufficiently strong to securely hold the fan assembly for longperiods of time under conditions of vibration and fatigue.

As seen in this figure, these tabs are now not used, but rather, thedownwardly extending threaded bolts 116, which extend through the upperretaining plate 136 of the fan support assembly. The plate is held inposition by the lock washer and lock nut 133 on each of the twodepending bolts 116 in firm flat engagement against the lower surface126 of the box 120. The electrical cable passes downwardly through theopening 137 and the depending hollow shaft to the fan assembly. FIGS. 8aand 8b show another type of ceiling fan support assembly arrangementhaving a high torque and high load capability. This is a one piece rodengaging bracket assembly generally indicated at 140 having upwardlyextending side flanges 142. The central section of which has a shapedrecess 144 to accurately engage the flat surfaces of the cross bar 24.It is held in firm engagement with the cross bar 24 by the lock nut 150which extends through the tapped opening 148 in the lock recess section147. The head 151 of the lock screw 150 engages the side of the bar 24to hold the torque stabilizing unit in firm engagement with the bar 24.

Downwardly extending threaded ceiling fan support rods 156 extendthrough openings in the lower surface 145 and are held in position bythe lock nut 158. The lower periphery 146 of this central lower section145 have tapped openings not shown for supporting the electrical outletjunction box in the manner disclosed above with the hanger brackets.

FIG. 9 discloses an arrangement for supporting the junction box with ahanger bracket disposed within the junction box itself.

The U-shaped mounting element 160 is disposed over the support bar 24 asindicated in FIG. 9 and has a free end 161 which are threaded to receivelocking fasteners 162 which hold the strap-like securing member 164 infirm engagement with the cross bar 24 to provide a high load andnon-twistable connection assembly.

The junction box, generally indicated at 170, has an upper surface 172which has two openings 173 through which the free ends 161 of theU-shaped support member 160 pass.

The junction box as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 is made of metal and is aconventional electrical outlet box having downwardly extending walls 174which a lower periphery 176. A knock-out cable receiving opening 178 isshown in FIG. 9. The junction box has two diagonally spaced bent tabs179 along the lower periphery 176 which have threaded openings thereinto accomodate electrical fastening elements.

The hanger bracket 180 as seen in a perspective view of FIG. 11 has acentral section containing fastener receiving openings 183. Theextremities of the hanger bracket 180 have diagonally extending elements184. The outer extremities of sections 184 have a downwardly extendingflange 185 and an outwardly extending piece 186 with fastener supportreceiving openings 189 for the fan support assembly elements.

Referring to FIG. 9 and 10, it will be seen that the hanger bracket 180is held in position by lock nuts 190 which are disposed on the freelower ends 161 of the U-shaped support member 160.

The threaded support bolt 192 extends through the openings 189 of thehanger bracket 180 and is held in position by lock nuts 196 which bringthe bolt heads 194 into firm locking engagement with the end pieces 186of the hanger bracket 180.

The lower end of the bolts 192 extend through openings in a ceiling fansupport plate 200 and are held in position by the two lock nuts 196which are threaded onto the lower end of the bolts 192 to provide a firmrigid connection.

It will be noted that the junction box 170 is held in firm immovablecontact with the cross member 24 of the joist engaging assembly, andthat the ceiling fan support piece 200 is brought into firm secureengagement with the lower periphery 176 of the junction box 170 whennuts 196 are tightened on the support bolts 192, the latter of which areheld in firm position on the hanger bracket 180, the latter being firmlyheld in engagement under the junction box and with the U-shapedsupporting member 160 by lock nuts 190.

It should be noted that the ceiling fan assembly support bolts 192 arespaced apart the same distance as the openings in the bent tabs 179 ofthe junction box 170. This spacing is 31/2 inches center to center. Thehanger bracket 180 provides depending strong support elements with thisspacing. This permits the bracket to provide a strong support assemblyas a substitute for the prior use of the threaded openings in the tabs179 without modification of the fan assembly support. This dimension isalso maintained with the other hanger brackets which extend outside thebox. It will be noted that these brackets instead of extendingdiagonally across the box extend laterally across the box and thedepending support bolts extending outside the box also have the 31/2inch length between them.

The use of the hanger bracket provides a strong support, as can be seenin FIG. 9, as well as in the other figures, in that the head of the bolt194 provides the vertical support, rather than the end threadedconnection previously relied on in which the fragile thin threads tappedinto the thin tabs 79 were relied on.

Accordingly, the use of the hanger bracket and support elements shownprovide a sturdy, unyieldable support arrangement for ceiling fans whichcan readily be installed.

While this invention has been described as having preferred design, itis understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/oradaptations of the invention following in general the principle of theinvention and including such departures from the present disclosure ascome within known or customary practice in the art to which theinvention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features setforth, and fall within the scope of the invention of the limits of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ceiling fan mounting assembly for providing ahigh load capability, vibration resistant, and torque resistantconnection through a ceiling opening between an electrical ceiling fansupport housing and a joist structure adjacent the opening,comprising:(a) hanger bracket assembly means engaging the joiststructure and providing rigid support between the joist structure and aceiling fan assembly support housing, (b) the hanger bracket assemblymeans including two widely spaced downwardly extending support elementsrigidly supported at their upper end, which extend through a ceilingopening and directly support the ceiling fan support housing, (c) anelectrical junction box having a relatively flat upper surface and alower peripheral surface, positioned immediately below the hangerbracket assembly means with at least two diametrically opposed sectionsof said upper surface rigidly engaging the hanger bracket assemblymeans, (d) a ceiling fan support housing having a structural memberwhich is disposed directly below and in firm engagement with the lowersurface of the junction box, (e) a ceiling fan support housingstructural member having retaining sections with openings therein, (f)said support elements extending along the outside of the internalperiphery of the junction box and through the openings of the retainingsections, (g) fastening means for engaging the lower end of thedownwardly extending elongated support elements for holding the ceilingfan support housing in firm contact against the junction box whereby thejunction box is pressed into firm engagement against the hanger bracketassembly means and acts as a firm intermediate support element for theceiling fan assembly support housing.
 2. The ceiling fan mountingassembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:(a) the hanger bracket meansincludes a horizontal support rod extending between the joist structureand a generally U-shaped member which extends over and around thehorizontal support rod and has a fastening element on each of its lowerfree ends.
 3. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 1,wherein:(a) the hanger bracket means includes a horizontally disposedhanger bracket with a central upwardly extending fastener receivingrecess section, and (b) the upper middle surface of the central sectionprovides a flat engaging surface to permit rigid engagement with asupporting flat surface.
 4. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as setforth in claim 3, wherein:(a) the hanger bracket means includes anelongated flat strip of metal having two outer downwardly extendingfastener receiving recess sections at each end thereof for receiving theceiling fan support elements.
 5. The ceiling fan mounting assembly asset forth in claim 3, wherein:(a) the hanger bracket means has outersections which have an upwardly extending flange for engaging thesupport surface associated with the joist structure.
 6. The ceiling fanmounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein:(a) the hangerbracket means has an end recess section and its outer end thereofprovides a lower surface against which the upper surface of the functionbox rests, and which is sufficiently downwardly displaced to provideclearance for the fastening means disposed in the fastener receivingrecess section of the bracket so as to avoid contact with the uppersurface of the junction box.
 7. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as setforth in claim 6, wherein:(a) each outer end of the hanger bracket meansis integrally connected at one end thereof to one of the elongateddownwardly extending support element.
 8. The ceiling fan mountingassembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein:(a) the hanger bracket meansis an elongated piece of metal with a central upwardly recessed fastenerreceiving section, and two adjacent outer downwardly extending recesssections, and (b) the recess sections being in direct lateral alignmentwith each other and of substantially the same depth to provide recessedareas for fastening elements with sufficient clearance at the hangerbracket means so its outer upper surface can contact and firmly engagethe support surface can contact and firmly engage the support surfaceand the lower surface of the outer extremedies can provide support for ajunction box.
 9. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim3, wherein:(a) the hanger bracket means is an integral single pieceincluding a connecting element which is shaped to engage the supportedrod, and the fastening means which engages the downwardly elongatedsupport elements includes a lock nut which engages the support rod tohold the hanger bracket means in position.
 10. The ceiling fan mountingassembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein:(a) the junction box is atwo-piece assembly having upper and lower sections which meet along acommon horizontal line, and (b) at least one of the sections of thejunction box having a plurality of open electrical cable receiving slotsextending from the common line to permit cable to be directly pressedinto the cable slots, and the opening subsequently closed when the lowersection of the box is mounted in position along the common line.
 11. Theceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein:(a) thehanger bracket means is directly fastened to a joist passing directlyover the ceiling outlet opening by a plurality of wood screws, and (b)the hanger bracket means being an elongated thin piece of metal havingfastener receiving openings through the upper section of the hangerbracket through which the wood screws are received.
 12. The ceiling fanmounting assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein:(a) the hangerbracket means is an elongated piece of metal having a central sectionwith fastener openings, and (b) an outer support section adjacent eachend thereof contains the upper section of the downwardly extendingsupport elements.
 13. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein:(a) the junction box is a plastic structure which has anouter channel through which the downwardly extending support elementsextend.
 14. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 1,wherein:(a) fastener means extends through the junction box forindependently connecting it to the hanger bracket assembly means.
 15. Aceiling fan mounting assembly for providing a high load capability,vibration resistant, and torque resistant connection through a ceilingopening between an electrical ceiling fan support housing and the joiststructure adjacent the opening, comprising:(a) hanger bracket assemblymeans engaging the joist structure and providing rigid support betweenthe joist structure and a ceiling fan assembly support housing, (b) anelectrical junction box having a relatively flat upper surface and adownwardly extending side wall positioned immediately below the hangerbracket assembly means, the side wall having a lower peripheral surfacedisplsed immediately below the hanger bracket assembly means, (c) twospaced diametrically disposed elongated downwardly extending parallelbolts which are disposed close to and extend below the side wall, (d) ahorizontal metal plate support element with openings therethroughconnected to the hanger bracket assembly whereby the bolts adjacenttheir upper end pass through the openings. (e) each bolt having a headwhich engages a top surface of the support section and a lock nut whichengages the underside of said section whereby the bolts are rigidly heldin fixed position with respect to the section to provide a rigidimmovable load carrying support element, (f) a ceiling fan supporthousing have a structural member which is disposed directly below and infirm surface engagement with the lower periphery of the junction box,(g) the structural member having retaining sections with openingstherein through which the lower ends of the bolts extend, and (h)fastening elements which are fitted on the lower end of the bolts andengage the lower surface a retaining section of the structural member tohold the ceiling fan support housing in a firm contact against thejunction box to thereby provide a rigid unified fan support structurewhich is vibration-free and is torque and twist resistant.
 16. Theceiling fan mounting assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein:(a) thehanger bracket assembly includes a horizontally extending support memberhaving a flat sided surface, (b) a connecting clamp which immovablyengages the flat surface and has two spaced downwardly extendingthreaded elements which receive a fastening elment and provide firmimmovable support to the depending bolts and the junction box. .Iadd.17. A ceiling fan mounting assembly providing high load capability, andvibration and torque resistance for an electrical ceiling fan supporthousing connected with a joist structure adjacent an opening in theceiling, the assembly comprising:(a) means for engaging the joiststructure adjacent the ceiling opening and for providing a firm, torqueresistant support structure above the ceiling opening; (b) an electricaljunction box having a relatively flat upper surface and side wallstructure with a lower peripheral surface, said junction box in firmengagement with said joist engaging means for providing vibration andtorque resistance; (c) two widely spaced support elements operablyassociated with said box and extending downwardly therefromsubstantially parallel to said side wall structure and terminatingsubstantially below said peripheral surface; (d) a ceiling fansupporting housing having a structural member disposed below and in firmengagement with said junction box lower peripheral surface, saidstructural member having a pair of widely spaced openings therein; (e)said support elements extending through said openings and having anupper portion disposed above said upper surface; and, (f) fasteningmeans are mounted on the terminal end of each support element formaintaining said supporting housing structural member in firm engagementwith said peripheral surface and for thereby providing vibration andtorque resistance. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 18. The assembly of claim 17,wherein:(a) each of said support elements has a threaded lower endportion; and, (b) each fastening means includes a lock nut. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein: (a) a pair of widely spacedapertures are operably associated with said side wall structure; and,(b) each of said support elements extends through an associated one ofsaid apertures. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The assembly of claim 19,wherein:(a) each of said apertures terminates on a plane coincident withsaid lower peripheral surface. .Iaddend.21. The assembly of claim 17,wherein:(a) each of said support elements is disposed proximate to andinterior of said side wall structure. .Iadd.22. The assembly of claim21, wherein: (a) each of said support elements has an upper portiondisposed above said upper surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The assembly ofclaim 22, wherein: (a) each upper portion includes means cooperatingwith and supported by said joist engaging means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. Theassembly of claim 23, wherein: (a) each support element includes athreaded bolt having a bolt head, said bolt head cooperating with andsupported by said joist engaging means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The assemblyof claim 17, wherein said joist engaging means includes: (a) a hangerbracket assembly operably secured to the joist structure for providingvibration and torque resistance; and, (b) means extending from saidassembly and engaged with said box for securing said box to saidassembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein: (a)said support elements include means for extending. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.The assembly of claim 26, wherein: (a) each support element includes abolt means having head means and a threaded lower portion; and, (b) eachhead means is carried by and supported by said assembly. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said joist engaging meansincludes: (a) a hanger assembly extending between two adjacentlydisposed joists; (b) a hanger bracket assembly operably supported bysaid hanger assembly for torque and vibration resistance; and, (c) meansextend from said hanger bracket assembly for securing said box theretoin a torque and vibration resistant manner. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. Theassembly of claim 28, wherein: (a) said hanger assembly is extensiblealong a first axis extending generally transverse to the joists; and,(b) said hanger bracket assembly extends generally transverse to saidfirst axis and parallel to the joists. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The assemblyof claim 29, wherein: (a) said means for securing includes said supportelements. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein: (a)each of said support elements includes bolt means having a threadedportion and a head means; and, (b) each head means is carried andsupported by said hanger bracket assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. Theassembly of claim 28, wherein: (a) said hanger bracket assembly includesa flat portion carried by and disposed above said hanger assembly..Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The assembly of claim 28, wherein: (a) said hangerbracket assembly includes first and second laterally spaced portionsextending from and generally transverse to an intermediate portion; (b)an aperture is disposed in said intermediate portion; and, (c) saidmeans for securing extend through said aperture. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. Theassembly of claim 32, wherein: (a) said hanger assembly is polygonal incross section so that said flat portion seats thereon; and, (b) said boxis comprised of plastic. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A ceiling fan mountingassembly providing high load capability, and vibration and torqueresistance for an electrical ceiling fan support housing connected witha joist structure adjacent an opening in the ceiling, the assemblycomprising:(a) means for engaging the joist structure adjacent theceiling opening and for providing a firm, torque resistant supportstructure above the ceiling opening; (b) an electrical junction boxhaving a relatively flat upper surface and side wall structure with alower peripheral surface, said junction box in firm engagement with saidjoist engaging means for providing vibration and torque resistance; (c)two widely spaced support elements operably associated with said box andextending downwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said side wallstructure and terminating substantially below said peripheral surface;(d) a ceiling fan supporting housing having a structural member disposedbelow and in firm engagement with said junction box lower peripheralsurface, said structural member having a pair of widely spaced openingstherein; (e) said support elements having a support structure disposedabove the lower periphery of the box for supporting the elements infixed and immovable position, said support elements extending downthrough said widely spaced openings; and, (f) fastening means aremounted on the terminal end of each support element for maintaining saidsupporting housing structural member in firm engagement with saidperipheral surface and for thereby providing vibration and torqueresistance. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as setforth in claim 35, wherein: (a) the support structure includes anintegral outwardly extending section at the upper end of each supportelement which is held in tight friction engagement with its adjacentsurface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The ceiling fan mounting assembly as setforth in claim 35, wherein: (a) the support elements also support thejunction box. .Iaddend.